Thurston County deputy fired after domestic violence victim he failed to investigate went missing two days later

A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputy was terminated Wednesday after failing to investigate a domestic violence incident and misrepresenting material information in the case.

On July 14, TCSO began to investigate a missing person who disappeared under “suspicious circumstances,” TCSO announced.

During the investigation, detectives reviewed body camera footage from two days before, where the missing person had reported a domestic violence incident involving her partner. The terminated deputy had responded to that incident.

Body camera footage contradicts deputy’s account, leads to termination after woman goes missing

During the deputy’s investigation, the woman disclosed a physical assault and threats made by her partner earlier in the day. The deputy failed to investigate further, did not write a case report, and noted in the call log that the deputy “spoke with [involved party] who stated no assault, no property damage, no threats.”

TCSO determined the log to be an untruthful misrepresentation of what actually occurred. The woman then went missing two days later. Deputies eventually located the woman unharmed on July 15.

After reviewing the body camera footage, the deputy was placed on administrative leave. An internal investigation substantiated the allegations against the deputy.

On Sept. 15, the deputy was terminated. TCSO provided a notice of separation to the Criminal Justice Training Commission and a Brady notice to the Prosecutor’s Office.

A union representing the deputy filed a grievance demanding reinstatement. TCSO said it will issue another press release if the termination is overturned.

“It is the expectation of Thurston County Sheriff’s Office that employees fully investigate and accurately document incidents of domestic violence as set forth by RCW, case law, policy, and ethics,” TCSO stated in its press release.

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